Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra has ordered changes to a committee set up to implement an eviction plan for the Mahakan Fort community, a move that is likely to delay the eviction for some time, a source said.
The planned eviction of the century-old community to pave the way for a public park and preserve the fort, which is a registered historical site, was originally scheduled to begin at the end of the month, the source said.
MR Sukhumbhand is expected to chair the committee himself, said the source, adding it is possible members of the media will be invited to join the panel. It is currently chaired by deputy city clerk Patarut Dardarananda.
The panel's name will be changed from the eviction committee to the development committee, said the source.
The change in the committee's composition is likely to delay the eviction and in the process ease growing pressure on the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) not to evict residents.
The eviction was proposed in 1992 during Chamlong Srimuang's governorship in response to a move by the Committee on Conservation of Rattanakosin and Old Towns to preserve the historical site.
It was opposed by residents, historians and NGOs who claimed the area could be preserved and developed as a living museum without the need to evict the residents.
They also argued the community could also help safeguard the fort as well as the green area nearby.
The dispute was brought before the Administrative Court and the Supreme Administrative Court which backed the BMA's right to evict.
Meanwhile, MR Sukhumbhand said Wednesday that he had never promised local residents he would not evict them while serving as Bangkok governor. He said he would be breaking the law had he made such a promise.